JSkaggs29 Posted July 30, 2020 Share #1 Posted July 30, 2020 Hello all! This is an Ike jacket belonging to SSgt Carl C. Sterling of Seaside Park, NJ. Sterling enlisted on June 18, 1943 in Camden, New Jersey. He served as a gunner on an A-20 Havoc in the 410th Bomb Group of the 9th Air Force. During his service with the 410th BG he was involved in missions over Germany. Being an aerial gunner over Europe was not the ideal job. However, gunners in heavy bombers had it better off than Havoc gunners. A-20 gunners, like Sterling, had to endure the harsh elements in a cramped compartment, with frigid air rushing through the vents in the aircraft. To makes matters worse, A-20 gunners didn’t have heated equipment. Adding to the harsh conditions, according to a 410th gunner, they rode in the turret seat without a parachute attached, due to the confined spaces. The A-20 was an all-around cramped aircraft for the crew. Sterling went on to earn an Air Medal with 3 OLCs and flew 26 missions with the 410th BG. Sadly, I don’t not know a lot about his service with the 410th as a gunner. I tried reaching out to relatives, but was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, this is one of my favorite uniforms in my collection because of the blue-backed gunner wings and it belonging to an A-20 Havoc gunner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Crow 1986 Posted July 30, 2020 Share #2 Posted July 30, 2020 Nice looking uniform. Terrific condition and ya gotta love the blue backed wings! Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSkaggs29 Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted August 3, 2020 Thanks! I’m glad to be the current caretaker of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted August 3, 2020 Share #4 Posted August 3, 2020 Thank you for posting . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backtheattack Posted August 21, 2020 Share #5 Posted August 21, 2020 Great uniform find! Congratulation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted August 22, 2020 Share #6 Posted August 22, 2020 Doesn’t get much better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmar836 Posted August 23, 2020 Share #7 Posted August 23, 2020 A sharp one for sure! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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